macboy - 15-2-2009 at 10:59 PM
Slipped out to the lake this afternoon with marginal winds, just enough to get the V19 airborne after a good long preinflate and an equally long final
inflate as it struggled to the sky. The wind picked up half a notch and I was able to ride fast enough that the dog couldn't keep up but I'd say it
was only 15km/h wind tops.
As I was wrapping up my day I thought I'd take the plunge and ride over the lump of snow they set up for last weekend and see what happened. The wind
at this point was enough to lift me off the ground just enough that I could feel the skis leaving the surface on a hard tack (sending the kite back,
edging hard against it and then turning back hard to head back with the kite). The kicker I was monkeying on was just a couple front loader scoops of
snow, carved to a smooth jump. About 3 1/2 to 4 feet in height.
So.....First time over I really just went over and landed. Nothing major (other than the "I can't believe I actually did that" feeling). Thought I was
first time lucky so I hit it again a little faster. Same deal, hit the jump, came off the other side and landed. Again using only the speed the kite
gave me, no lift assistance from the kite - musta gone farther 'cuz I FELT the landing in the bottoms of my feet ; ) Tried a few more attacks but
powered up more than I wanted to and a quick glance at the kite and it looked like maybe the kite wasn't where I'd want it (it was almost dragging a
tip on the snow) so I bailed as best as I could, carving away from the kicker.
One last try before I packed up for home and again, just a jump, no boost.
I'm figuring that I want to time things so that as I'm hitting the ramp part of the jump I'm in a hard carve against the power of the kite having sent
it back just before hitting the ramp. My logic tells me that if I can time it so that the kite it at that "point where it was almost lifting me in my
tacks earlier" right when I'm coming off the end of the jump that I'll get the boost. Now, is this correct, and if so, is this also when I give a good
yank on the kite to bring it back to my direction of travel?
I'm slowly putting this together - any help is appreciated. If I need to give you more info let me know. The back of my brain was heard telling me
"make sure you redirect or the kite will drop you hard"....only, I don't know if I would have been right with my steps "A" through "D" and if the
kite's in the wrong place before I redirect then logic would dictate that I shoulda left it where it was. All I figured was that I want the kite above
me when I come off, not off to the side like when I bailed.
WolfWolfee - 16-2-2009 at 07:25 AM
I really think the best way to learn how to jump is to start in turn around's (pendulum swings).
You lean hard into your kite pulling away from it as hard as possible. When you feel like your going to loose you edge reverse the path of your kite.
As you feel the power increase now turn into the power and pop your kite. You do want to try and keep it up top as it increases float and soft
landings. I have watched some of the guys at the lake but never been in good winds.
It really is a heart pumper when you start hitting nice long swings. just practice doing bunny hops, just popping every time you feel it loaded up.
Just get use to the lift and keeping her up top then progress on to longer floats and higher jumps.
Been talking to a few guys about the Scorp's there number one comment is " you like air" lol
Heading out this morning you never know.